Netflix has just launched an updated web video player, according to the company blog. The new interface incorporates icons instead of words – below is a screenshot:
First, Netflix was wise in using ABC’s “LOST” as the template for its screenshot, as it is the best show ever made. Incidentally, Netflix extended their content deal with ABC last November, making sure LOST can be watched indefinitely, which is good for everyone.
Other new features include:
– The size of the controls now scales, making it easier to use the player on large screens, for example if you connect your computer to your TV
– Similarly, the player will scale down to smaller windows, which is useful if you want to watch something while working in another window. Also, the video now stretches to the full window in the browser
– Full screen mode now has all the features of browser mode so you can view season/episode information and change to the next episode when watching a TV show
– Pausing the video now shows more information about the title
Here’s a shot of the old interface:
The new look is more streamlined, though Michael Spiegelman, director of product innovation for the Website and Tablet at Netflix, points at that “This (the new GUI) might take a little time to get used to, but we think it will be intuitive once you start using the controls.”
